Abstract

Using echolocation influenced by Doppler shift, bats can capture flying insects in real three-dimensional space. On the basis of this principle, a model that estimates object locations using frequency modulated (FM)sound was proposed. However, no investigation was conducted to verify whether the model can localize flying insects from their echoes. This study applied the model to estimate the range and direction of flying insects by extracting temporal changes from the time-frequency pattern and interaural range difference, respectively. The results obtained confirm that a living insect's position can be estimated using this model with echoesmeasured while emitting intermittent FMsounds.

The authors wish to thank Dr. W. Ohmura for use of the high-speed camera and K. Wagatsuma for her helpful movie analysis assistance. This research was supported in part by JST, CREST, and the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation, Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program, “Technologies for creating next-generation agriculture, forestry and fisheries” (Bio-oriented Technology Research Advancement Institution, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization).

Abstract

Using echolocation influenced by Doppler shift, bats can capture flying insects in real three-dimensional space. On the basis of this principle, a model that estimates object locations using frequency modulated (FM)sound was proposed. However, no investigation was conducted to verify whether the model can localize flying insects from their echoes. This study applied the model to estimate the range and direction of flying insects by extracting temporal changes from the time-frequency pattern and interaural range difference, respectively. The results obtained confirm that a living insect's position can be estimated using this model with echoesmeasured while emitting intermittent FMsounds.